I bought a new chipper shredder and it was very hard to start. The oil the manufacture put in the start up package was 30 weight oil. Thinking the manufacture would include the proper oil I used it. The first machine I set up with the oil in the starting package and after a short time I could not get it started. The store gave me another new unit, but I left it start up package with the old chipper shredder. I was reading the Engine manual to determine the proper oil, and while the manufacturer stated that 30 weight could be used; it was recommended not to use it as it could cause Hard Starting problems.

Go figure.

Krnuttle , as we previously advised your 30 weight was ideal any where above 45 deg f . In Yt,s and my colder climate regions this use would be problematic during late fall and winter use . I used dino 10/30 for yrs in numerous engines all yr. Quite often in Synthetic oil usage 5/40 is recommended within air cooled engine applications . The Older single cylinder , high compression engines were a bear to start back in the late fall back in the day . Often placed a 100 watt bulb under the crank case overnight to facilitate starting the next day lol.

MS was the rating when I started working in a gas station in 1964! ML, MM & MS.

Yeah remember those mineral oil Api specifications ML ( Motor light duty ) MM ( Motor Moderate duty ) & MS ( Motor Severe duty ) those were simpler but fun times !

And now we so many ratings and choices to choose from.

Yeah any Chemical Engineers out there ?

I'll just get a drum of Uni-oil. Use it for ATF, hydraulic oil, gear oil, engine oil, saw bar oil and 2 stroke. It's all the same stuff, right?

Oil is oil, I'm thinking about switching my car to Wesson oil for the winter ;-)